HOPE is a powerful resource
Together we can raise awareness for suicide prevention and life promotion.
FOR COMMUNITY, BY COMMUNITY:
Introducing HOPE: Healing, Outreach, Promotion, Education
When it comes to suicide prevention and life promotion, our community has a powerful resource: HOPE. More than a word, Hope is a collaborative initiative led by a steering committee of local leaders and supported by a Community Coordinator. Guided by the proven Roots of Hope framework—with its 5 pillars and 13 guiding principles—this initiative is working to foster resilience, connection, and life-affirming change in our region.
About Us
Communities of Hope
Groups
SPIN
Groups
SPARK
COMMUNITY-LED SUICIDE PREVENTION
Roots of Hope
Roots of Hope is a community-led suicide prevention and life promotion model being used across Canada. Developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), it provides a flexible, evidence-informed framework for communities to build local suicide prevention strategies.
The goal of Roots of Hope is to reduce the impact of suicide by addressing stigma, increasing awareness about mental illness, and promoting connected, supportive communities.
This made-in-Canada model was informed by global research and expert consultation and is adaptable to any community setting. It is structured around five pillars of action and thirteen guiding principles:
ROOTS OF HOPE
5 Pillars
Pillar #1
Means Safety
Pillar #2
Training and Networks
Pillar #3
Specialized Supports
Pillar #4
Public Awareness
Pillar #5
Research and Evaluation
ROOTS OF HOPE
The 13 Guiding Principles
Comprehensive. Use multiple interventions geared toward a wide range of individuals across a variety of settings.
Collaboration/Coordination. Design programs to enhance collaboration among stakeholders.
Culturally Appropriate. Develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that respect a diversity of cultures and are responsive and appropriate (for the overall community and specific sub-populations).
Recovery-Oriented. Focus suicide prevention efforts on giving people hope, treating them with dignity, and meaningfully including them in the decisions being made.
Evidence-Informed. Use evidence‑informed interventions, selected and informed by different kinds of evidence, including those outside of peer‑reviewed quantitative studies
Measurement and Evaluation. Measure outcomes and evaluate interventions to determine their effectiveness and inform future innovations.
Lived Experience. Recognize the important role of suicide attempt and suicide loss survivors, persons with lived experience, individuals bereaved by suicide, and caregivers in guiding suicide prevention efforts.
Flexible. While standardization is important when comparing communities or tracking progress over time, be sure that selected interventions can be tailored to the community for which they are being implemented.
Strengths-Based. Build on existing strengths rather than on identifying and closing gaps.
Span the Continuum. Address suicide across the entire spectrum, including prevention, intervention, and postvention services.
Community Centered. Develop initiatives that are community-led, tailored to its current level of readiness, and driven by engaging and empowering local stakeholders.
Sustainable. Design initiatives that allow for continued funding and leadership.
Innovative. Attempt, evaluate, and share creative and innovative ideas to advance suicide prevention efforts globally.